Ridgewood thrift shop shutting its doors

A Second Glance, a thrift store in Ridgewood, will be closing up shop later this month but hopes to make a comeback within the neighborhood soon.

Co-owners Aaron and Jola Amrhern, both 28 and residents of Ridgewood, said their storefront will be closing Aug. 17 because their sub-lease is up. They have generated a large following in their two years of leasing, at 61-65 Metropolitan Ave., and hope to find another spot nearby to keep serving them.

“I grew up two blocks from [the store]. This neighborhood is my home,” Aaron said. “We’re looking for another spot around here and hopefully we can continue to do what we love in this community.”

Once closed, a furniture store will take up the location, which will be operated by the property owner, according to the Amrherns. But they hope to continue to sell their unique items in the neighborhood again sometime in the winter. They said they have already looked at two nearby locations, one on Fresh Pond Road and one on Myrtle Avenue, but will keep shopping around until they find the right fit.

A Second Glance is no ordinary thrift shop, according to the Amrherns, who consider it more of an antique store because of the rich history many of the items have. Among many other items, they have a pair of J.J. Slater shoes from the 1800s; similar shoes can also be found on display on the Smithsonian Institution. The Amrherns once had a $15,000 bottle of A.E. Dor cognac from 1889, of which only two were made, come through the door.

“I won’t put just anything on my shelves,” Aaron, who finds most of his items while traveling, said. “I am very selective with my stuff.”

For now, they are having sales up to 50 percent off on some items. Everything that isn’t sold by the Aug. 17 will go to their warehouse.

Once the store closes, they are going on a two-week search for new antiques and items, which according to the couple, is their vacation. They said they hope the new items they find will be on display in their new store soon.